Ballynahinch Town Centre MASTERPLAN
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Ballynahinch town centre MASTERPLAN Introduction i TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN TOWN Ballynahinch Town Centre Masterplan BALLYNAHINCH BALLYNAHINCH October 2014 i i Contents 1. Introduction 2 2. Analysis of Ballynahinch 6 3. Consultation Process 16 4. Visioning, Objectives and Concept Plan 20 5. The Masterplan 24 6. Masterplan Delivery 36 7. Next Steps 38 Contents ii 1 BALLYNAHINCH TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN 1 Introduction Nestled within an attractive drumlin The Masterplan for Ballynahinch Town Centre landscape, in the heart of County Down, was commissioned to help address these Ballynahinch dates back to the mid 17th challenges and identify opportunities. It Century. At this time Sir George Rawdon provides the format for taking a fresh look established the town and market square, at the town in a holistic manner so that key repaired the parish church and built two aspects of its social, physical and economic mills. Today, the population of Ballynahinch character can be understood and appreciated. exceeds five and a half thousand (2008 mid- The Masterplan provides a platform upon year population estimates) and the town which Ballynahinch’s residents, business functions as an important service centre, community and elected representatives can commuter settlement, manufacturing and develop a shared vision on how they wish to market town. see the town develop over the next fifteen to twenty years. In doing so, the Masterplan Like many towns and villages across Northern identifies a series of strategic objectives for Ireland, Ballynahinch faces certain challenges the town and in turn, outlines proposals such as difficult town centre trading, a lack to bring about the realisation of these of high quality public open space and town objectives. centre vehicular congestion. On the other hand, the strong sense of community, rich history, attractive main streets and wonderful surrounding landscape presents significant opportunities for this historic town. Introduction 2 1.2 PROJECT BACKGROUND 1.3 CLIENT AND CONSULTANT TEAM The role of the Masterplan is to inform Commissioned in June 2013, by the Team member details are outline below: regeneration and development decisions Department for Social Development (DSD) Organisation Role relating to Ballynahinch Town Centre. It will in partnership with Down District Council therefore be a key reference to all those with (DDC), the Masterplan demonstrates the The Paul Hogarth Team Leader, Urban an interest in the future of the town, including commitment of DSD towards delivering Company Design, Masterplanning, Landscape Architecture local and central government departments, physical, social and economic regeneration private businesses including developers, across Northern Ireland. JMP Consulting Transport Planning & the community and voluntary sectors and Engineering The Masterplan was developed by a members of the public. multidisciplinary consultant team, led by BDO Economics The Masterplan does not replace statutory urban designers and landscape architects, planning policy for the area and will be The Paul Hogarth Company. The team also CB Richard Ellis Property used as a material consideration in planning comprised of specialist organisations, all decisions and to inform future policy. with extensive experience in town centre regeneration in Northern Ireland and further White Young Costs Green TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN TOWN The Masterplan was prepared concurrently afield. with the Reform of Local Government (LGR), Strategic Retail during which comprehensive changes to the Planning administration of Northern Ireland, including the reduction in the number of local councils Place Solutions Town Centre BALLYNAHINCH BALLYNAHINCH Management from twenty-six to eleven and the transfer of 3 planning powers to the new local councils. Information Gathering 1.4 MASTERPLAN PROCESS Client Review The Masterplan was produced over a The draft was widely published in February Analysis Process thirteen-month period, commencing in 2014 during a fourteen week public Client Review June 2013, and began with an in depth consultation period which included process of desktop research, site appraisal workshops with local residents and the three Concept Proposals and stakeholder consultation. A Town local secondary schools. Feedback from Client Review Centre Health Check was also undertaken this process was then used to finalise the which involved a shopper survey and a Masterplan report and the accompanying Draft Masterplan comprehensive review of the existing retail, action plan table detailing each proposal Client Review residential, leisure, commercial and tourism along with its priority, timeframe, delivery sectors. agent and associated stakeholders. Public Consultation The findings of this process led to the Finally, the Masterplan was launched at Client Review development of a shared vision for the town a public event in October 2014, marking Draft and an accompanying set of project aims completion of the report and the beginning Report and objectives. The subsequent Concept of the delivery process. Client Review Proposals stage developed the foundation Key to the Masterplan process was the Final Report of design thinking for the emerging draft & Action Plan establishment of an Advisory Group who met Masterplan. Client Review at each key stage of the process to monitor Using the Concept Plan as a basis, the Draft progress and shape development of the Introduction Masterplan Masterplan was prepared, which incorporated Masterplan. The Group comprised of elected Launch a range of deliverable initiatives that include representatives, council and government 4 mixed use development, transportation officials, town centre retailers, community proposals and public realm improvements. representatives and local residents. Delivery 5 BALLYNAHINCH TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN 2 Analysis of Ballynahinch 2.1 INTRODUCTION 2.2 LOCATION 2.3 HISTORY Before we can successfully intervene at a The Masterplan includes, but is not limited 2.3.1 Montalto Estate townwide scale, it is crucial to understand to, Ballynahinch Town Centre. To assess Montalto Estate was purchased by the the complexity of the town and identify key the town centre it is important to consider Rawdon Family in 1660 and the House was elements within it that may be positives upon Ballynahinch as a whole and its surrounding built in the 1760’s. In the early 19th century which to build, or negatives that must be environs including the residential areas on the Estate was sold to the Ker family and addressed. Another important role of the the outskirts of the town. they constructed a third storey to the house analysis process is to identify the distinctive Centrally positioned in County Down, which included a large ballroom. During the elements that make Ballynahinch unique, so Ballynahinch is located 15 miles south of Second World War, US soldiers were stationed that the town’s identity can be strengthened Belfast, 10 miles south-east of Lisburn, 10 in Montalto while in 1985 a devastating fire as its develops into the future. miles north-west of Downpatrick and 15 miles considerably damaged the East Wing but this This section summarises the findings of the north of Newcastle. Smaller settlements was later rebuilt. Today, the Wilson family analysis process undertaken to inform the in the vicinity include Crossgar, Saintfield, own the Estate and the House is available to Masterplan. Dromara, Annahilt and Spa. hire for weddings, and business functions. The A24 runs through the heart of Ballynahinch and is one of the main arterial routes connecting North Down with Down. The A24 provides the main access to Ballynahinch and provides linkage with Analysis of Ballynahinch Analysis Ballynahinch Belfast and Carryduff to the north and Dundrum and Newcastle to the south. 6 Ballynahinch is an important gateway for people from the Belfast Metropolitan Area to the Mournes. 2.3 HISTORY (continued) 2.3.2 The Battle of Ballynahinch 2.3.3 The Market 2.3.4 The Market House Founded in 1791, the Society of United For over three centuries, Ballynahinch has Constructed in 1795, the Market House Irishmen sought to promote the unity of been an important market town in County provided a large market hall on the ground ‘Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter’ in Ireland Down. Established in 1683, the market was floor while on the first floor there was an and to create a more equal society. By 1796 set up to encourage local commerce and to assembly room for public meetings as well as thousands of people across County Down provide a meeting place where people could a small jury room were courts were held. had converted to the principles of United seek employment and employers could hire Irishmen and subsequently an armed revolt labour. against the Government was planned. After defeating government forces at Saintfield on 9th June 1798, they moved on to capture the town of Ballynahinch. The battle took place over the 12th and 13th TOWN CENTRE MASTERPLAN TOWN June 1798, with intense fighting focussed at Windmill Hill, the Montalto Hills and town centre streets. The United Irishmen were overturned at Ballynahinch and government forces spread across the countryside, crushing BALLYNAHINCH BALLYNAHINCH all those suspected of being participants. 7 Ballynahinch was left in ruins with almost half of the houses destroyed. In recent years a number of murals have been erected in the town depicting the famous battle. 2.4 policy and Strategic ConteXT 2.4.1 Regional Development Strategy 2035 The Regional Development Strategy (RDS)